Harmonization: the way forward Cécile Barayre-El Shami Programme Manager, E-Commerce and Law Reform ICT Analysis Section, UNCTAD Harmonizing cyberlaws in ECOWAS Accra, March

Cybersecurity in ECOWAS 2 Source: UNCTAD, Greenleaf, 2013 E-transactionPrivacyCybercrime LawsBurkina Faso Cape Verde Cote d’Ivoire Gambia Ghana Senegal Benin Burkina Faso Cape Verde Cote d’Ivoire Gambia Ghana Senegal Cote d’Ivoire Gambia Ghana Senegal BillsLiberia Mali Niger Nigeria Liberia Mali Niger Nigeria Cape Verde Liberia Burkina Faso Niger Nigeria

Where do we stand?  No e-commerce, some mobile money systems  Cyberlaw reform driven by e-government  Engagement at the higher level of government is key  Omnibus law (eg. Sierra Leone) or various laws  In some countries, bills are under discussions (Liberia, Nigeria)  Issues include the lack of awareness of policy and law makers, law enforcement agencies, this area is not yet a priority 3

Other areas?  e-signatures  Certification centers  National IXPs Nigeria Ghana  CERTs Ghana Gambia and Nigeria Sierra Leone in progress  Consumer protection  Taxation Gambia, in the context of single window 4

Recommendations 1.Continue the transposition of ECOWAS instruments integrating deadlines 2.Set up national “working group” on e-commerce legislation for a multi stakeholder approach 3.Roll out awareness campaigns to sensitize on cyberlaws 4.Build the capacity of: Policy and law makers, Police, judiciary, prosecutors CERTs 5.Strengthen enforcement agencies 6.Enhance regional cooperation by sharing information and best practices 5

What is your role? 1.Complete and send the questionnaire by 7 April Report back home on the workshop 3.Inform us about the cyberlaw advances 4.Identify a legal area where you could relay your knowledge in your country 5.Share the contacts of consultants and donors for a better coordination 6.Set up a mailing list to keep exchanging on TrainForTrade Platform 6

Follow-up activities  TrainForTrade distance learning course in October 2014  ECOWAS workshop in 2015  Regional comparative study on cyberlaw harmonization Take stock of the cyberlaw advances Challenges Provide recommendations based on best practices Look into different applications: mobile money, e-government, e- commerce To be published early 2015 To be shared with your government Useful for investors, donors, and other regions 7

How to request UNCTAD’s assistance  Request to be sent to the Secretary-General of UNCTAD UNCTAD, Palais des Nations 1211 Geneva 10, Switzerland T: F: E: 8

9 Thank you for your attention!